Thank you for having an interest in our thoughts and we hope for much
success with your family.
Thank you for visiting http://www.familytimehelp.blobspot.com
10
ideas to kick off or improve Family Time
Yes, I know this is not the first
time you have tried making everyone sit down just for even a hour twice a week.
I have been there and failed many times, until I discovered a very important
lesson. IT TAKES TIME AND ACTUAL PLANNING! You read right! It is just like
working with people from the office or that PTA board. Everyone has an agenda
and thinks they are the only ones that matters. So with that in mind, dive in
pen and paper first, try these and share your thoughts. Remember, anything
worth doing is worth having fun doing!
1.
Plan your goals - OK, so of
course this sounds cliche and that means you’re already getting the point. For
those who need help let me spell it out “Plan It and Promote It.” There you go…
Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that there is a difference between
planning work trip from a family vacation trip. So, in simple form:
Conceptualize it, discuss it, write it down, prepare for it, and promote it and
congratulations you now have something to improve on for the next time. Let’s
move on…
2. Identify common problems – Wiser folks
than I have always said “Everyone has problems and are in need of solutions”
Let me help you demystify this one. The reason you don’t have everyone sitting
at your dinner table or having an interest in attending movie night can be because
of many problems, but I will list a few. They think it will be boring, their
friends won’t be there or they just think they have better things to do. OK,
let me be fair, perhaps dad or mom has to work double shift. The important
thing is that you identify the potential challenges and help to build
solutions.
3. One and one session –
Here is where you compromise until you have things your way (Remember life
isn’t Burger King, so you won’t always have it your way). Make time and talk to
each member of the family individually about their interest and how your plans
can merge to ensure all smiley faces for your scrap book.
4. Develop routines – Routines,
routines, blah, blah, blah … Does it actually work? YES! Step 1. Have a clear
plan, step 2. Decide on a frequency, step 3. Repeat step 1 and 2 and you have
begun to form a habit. Through in a dash of fun to the habit and you’ve got
people hooked to that habit. Now move on to the next step.
5. Introduce incentives – Your thinking right now…
What!!! Calm down. Remember the big picture, this is all about motivation and
everyone loves a good treat. It can be as simple an extra special meal or
someone favorite Ice cream; you get the idea right?
6. Create a notice board - You may be saying that sounds extreme, but wait a minute let me explain. One easy way to eliminate forgetfulness and ensure you have a captive audience is to let your plans be seen.
·
Get a calendar that you can
make notes on.
·
Post it on the refrigerator or anywhere that is
used frequently
·
Use ‘Post it’ notes or just write important
things like emergency number or what is for dinner
·
Finally, attached your list of plans and you have
your family notice board
7. I call this one Social Media twist – Isn’t it ironic how we are
trying to spend more time together and yet social media made it to number 7.
So, get this, ‘Can’t beat them, join them’, most parents are a
part of these mediums too, so sending the family reminders and invites to your
family time events ;-). Hey while you’re at it, send a tweet and rack up some
followers too.
8. Make mealtimes easier - Have easy to prepare yet
nutritional items and keep it fun and simple. Here are some examples I
personally think works, so add your own twist.
- Whole grain crackers and canned salmon and tuna
- Chips and dips and or Cakes, muffins
- Salads and low fat fun dressings (be creative and if you don’t mind, reuse those left overs)
- Rotisserie chicken, steamed rice and vegetables (at least that’s one of my combinations J)
- Order in your favorite fast food or just grab everyone and head out
- Whatever your favorites are just have fun ( prep from the day before or whenever is convenient)
9. Invite that crazy friend/neighbor/co-worker – Wait a minute, I thought this was about family time? Don’t worry; there is a method to the madness. Here goes, we all have this one person (some of us more) that is like the party starter, you know the vibes master that gets everyone relaxed enough to be themselves and be as equally exited and raging with glee. So, invite them and see how things turn out.
10. Photo ‘scrap’ book – A picture is worth a
thousand words, hence capturing the moment when dad fell on the floor during
his attempt at the Limbo dance is definitely a keeper. Not to mention moms face
when loses a game of Scrabble to the kids she taught how to read and spell.
Thank you for having an interest in my thoughts and we hope much
success with your family.
Thank you for visiting http://www.familytimehelp.blobspot.com
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